The Ultimate Guide to Experts

A poor roofing job can costly you dearly in roof repairs and leaks in the future, so you really have to spend time looking for the right contractor. In so doing, interview each prospect you have, making sure to six five crucial questions.

a. What is your complete company name and physical address?

First things first, ask for the roofer’s full company name and address. If you get a P.O.box number, let them provide details of their physical location. A contractor that has no physical location is likely a scam and should be stricken off your list.

b. Are you covered by worker’s compensation and liability insurance?

Contractors should have both liability and workmans’ compensation insurance to protect their clients in case of an accident. Workers’ compensation gives protection to the homeowner in case a contractor’s worker gets hurt, and liability insurance frees you from financial liability for damages the roofers may cause as they work.

If your contractor has no workman’s compensation insurance, you may end up being responsible for medical bills and other expenses arising from the injury.

c. Do you have subcontractors in your team?

If they do use subcontractors, make sure you know these people as much as you know the roofer, most especially on whether or not they have insurance.

d. Are you licensed as a roofing contractor?

Know whether your prospective contractor has a city or state license. Licensing requirements are unique from one state to another. Roofers may also have to obtain a city and national license. Check whether a license is needed in your area, and if so, inquire from your local licensing offices if your prospective roofer’s license is current and holds no outstanding violations. A business license is separate from a roofer’s license. A business license only works for tax and legal identification purpose. It does not indicate that the person has passed a test or possesses qualifications as a roofer.

e. Can you provide homeowner references?

Ask for local work sites that you can visit, and take a look at some of their roofing jobs over the last three years. You can also request for references, but previous customers may not want to divulge their personal information, or the contractor could cherry pick a few pleased clients. Follow up with these folks and ask whether they would confidently recommend the contractor.

f. Do you provide a workmanship warranty? A roof warranty typically covers one year, but sometimes, roofers provide a longer period. The manufacturer typically covers the materials, while the roofer takes care of the work. These are two different warranties, so specifically ask for the coverage and covered period for each one.